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The IAM Maine State Council has unanimously voted to endorse IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) member Mark Vigliotta in his campaign for Maine State Senate District 33, representing Lebanon, Sanford, Waterboro, and Alfred.
Vigliotta, a production machinery mechanic at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and member of IAM Local 836, is running to address affordability challenges and strengthen wages and working conditions for working families across the district.
“Mark Vigliotta has spent his career fighting for working families at the shipyard and in the halls of government,” said IAM Maine State Council President Anthony Leeman. “He understands the challenges our members face because he’s lived them, and we are proud to unanimously endorse him to bring that voice to the Maine Senate.”
Vigliotta said his campaign is focused on delivering results for working people in District 33.
“I am running to make life more affordable for working people, improve the tax code and pass worker-friendly laws that support well-paying, good quality jobs with benefits,” said Vigliotta. “More people from Sanford are employed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard than any other city or town in Maine or New Hampshire. I know their needs because I represented them as a union leader at the shipyard. Now I want to be able to represent them in Augusta.”
Vigliotta says he is very disappointed with his current Senator Matt Harrington for voting against legislation to make state-backed, no-interest loans available to federal workers during government shutdowns. Harrington, who is also the Assistant Senate Republican Leader, has a 0 percent score on the most recent Maine AFL-CIO Working Families Legislative Scorecard.
“For Matt Harrington not to vote for this bill to support his constituents when they are furloughed or forced to work without pay during a government shutdown is just unacceptable,” said Vigliottta.
Vigliotta served as shop steward and was later elected President of IAM Local 836. A few years later, he was elected President of the Portsmouth Metal Trades Council, which represents about 3,000 blue collar trades workers at the shipyard.
“Mark is a proven leader who has stood shoulder to shoulder with our members and fought for fairness and respect on the job,” said IAM Union Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “He will be a powerful voice for working people in the Maine Senate.”
Vigliotta began working at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 2003 and has served as President of IAM Local 836, President of the Portsmouth Metal Trades Council, President of IAM District 4, and President of the IAM Maine State Council. He currently serves as an associate organizer for the IAM.
“Mark Vigliotta represents the very best of our union — a skilled tradesman, a tireless advocate, and a leader who never forgets where he comes from,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “The IAM Union is proud to support him as he seeks to serve working families in Maine.”
